Discover expert answers to your fertility questions, including the efficacy of infertility drugs, the benefits of complementary medicine, and the role of hypnosis in enhancing fertility. Learn from specialists how to navigate the complexities of conceiving.
ABOUT MALE INFERTILITY
Miki Shima, ND, replies: If infertility is due to a genetic mutation, it cannot be corrected. However, Chinese medicine is particularly effective at treating male infertility compared to female infertility. By age 45, many men experience reduced sperm motility and increased abnormal morphology, both of which are responsive to Chinese medicine and supplements. I recommend that men attempting to produce viable sperm take 30–60 mg of zinc daily, divided into three to four doses, along with 400–800 IU of vitamin E. Furthermore, an individualised herbal regimen and regular acupuncture treatments from a qualified acupuncturist are advisable.
CAN INFERTILITY DRUGS BE HARMFUL?
Mandy asks: I have been trying to conceive my second child for about 8 months at age 38. My husband did some research on Clomid and metformin. What are the side effects? Could these drugs affect the baby or me long-term?
Dr Merwyn Jacobson, Specialist in Reproductive Medicine, replies: At 38, you are right to seek expert advice promptly. The decision to use medication will depend largely on specific reproductive health issues, which should be assessed through basic diagnostic tests. Both drugs mentioned have been extensively studied and prescribed for many years and are not associated with increased risks of abnormalities. Clomid, used to stimulate ovulation, is unnecessary if you are already ovulating normally. Metformin is beneficial if there is an issue with sugar metabolism.
COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE FOR FERTILITY PROBLEMS
Alexa asks: I have been trying to fall pregnant for over a year. Are there proven complementary medicines for fertility issues?
Dr Colin La Grange replies: Absolutely, although it’s complex. Fertility problems can stem from various causes, so it's essential to identify where natural medicine can help and where its application is limited. Conditions such as blockages may respond well to acupuncture and cold laser therapy; however, others may require further investigation and possible surgical intervention, such as blocked fallopian tubes or fibroids. The study I conducted in 2004 demonstrated a 30% success rate in four months, rising to 48% over one year with treatments like acupuncture, homeopathy, Chinese medicine, and naturopathy. The study included couples who had been struggling to conceive for over one year and had no exclusion criteria based on condition severity or previous ART treatments. Both men and women were treated, divided into two groups: one received a complementary medicine product specific to each gender, while the other received the same plus acupuncture twice monthly. Each group saw five positive pregnancy outcomes that carried to term within the initial four-month period. Men whose partners did not conceive showed consistent increases in sperm count after four months of treatment1. Complementary medicine has evolved alongside modern physiological and hormonal understandings, enhancing the role natural treatments play in balancing hormones crucial for fertility.
HYPNOSIS AND FERTILITY
The significant relationship between mind, emotions, and fertility is often overlooked. Research indicates that stress can severely impact a woman's ability to conceive2. Hypnosis has proven to be a valuable tool in aiding conception. An Israeli study demonstrated that hypnosis during embryo transfer doubled the IVF/ET success rates, also fostering a more positive patient outlook3.
Hypnosis works by activating the hypothalamus, which manages our stress response and sex hormones. Any imbalance in emotions or thoughts can directly affect the reproductive system. A state of hypnosis restores balance and well-being by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, which reduces stress and physiological tensions, thereby increasing the chances of conception.
Editor's note: According to Melanie Alexander (Bachelor degree of Science and Acupuncture, a Masters of Chinese Herbal Medicine, and a Masters in Reproductive Medicine from the University of NSW) ‘Fertility challenges indicate dysregulation in multiple systems. Metabolic syndrome is now pandemic as are the Stress Anxiety & Depression disorders. Inflammation has gained recognition as an underlying contributor to virtually every chronic disease and must be managed as the underlying factor in many reproductive presentations both male and female.' Her book on fertility treatment options is available Fertility booklet_Wings.
References
- Nicholas M. Three steps to fertility. London: Carroll and Brown; 2006. p. 49.
- Impact of hypnosis during embryo transfer on the outcome of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer: a case-control study. Fertil Steril. 2006 May;85(5):1404-8.
- Rossi E. The Psychobiology of Gene Expression: neuroscience and neurogenesis in hypnosis and the healing arts. New York: Norton; 2002.
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